Minch visited Charfield on a boiling hot Saturday afternoon, after a difficult week of team selections. With the club unable to field a 2^nd XI, largely due to 1^st XI unavailability, no less than 6 2^nd team players stepped up from the Stroud League to assist.

Stand in skipper Dave Gordon chose what he thought was the right decision and have a bat first. However the wicket soon proved to be quite low and tricky bowling restricted both Gordon and Scott and the top of the order. They added 21 for the 1^st wicket before Scott was caught at Gully. When Gordon went not long after what followed was a huge Minch batting collapse. Tom Richings went for a duck, Ross Britton hit a couple of quick boundaries before being bolwed and Jaime Waring was dismissed 1^st ball. Will Price at 6 had no choice but to counter attack and in his usual hard hitting fashion picked up a few much needed boundaries. But when Matt Hole, John Wood and then Jack Cartledge all lost their wicket, Minch were languishing on 51 for 8 and facing a very early finish. No 10 Matt Richings stuck around adding 10 useful runs, as Price continued to hit the ball hard to the fence. When Richings fell at 68 for 9 no 11 and 2^nd team skipper Ben Pitman came to the crease. He proceeded to block and scramble a single where possible, allowing price to play his usual game. The 2 added useful runs and Price surpassed his 1^st club 50. Pitman backed him up superbly adding 15 runs as the two amassed 60 runs for the last wicket. Pitman finally fell and Price was left on 65 not out, a fine knock and saved the Minch innings from embarrassment. Openers Thomas (3 for 14) and Walwin (3 for 20) bowled impeccably for Charfield.

In reply Minch were quietly confident. In the past they have pulled off a few miraculous low scoring wins and with a tricky wicket and plenty of bowling there was certainly hope. 2^nd XI stalwart Matt Richings opened the bowling and found the breakthrough removing Eskins for 5. Opposition captain Foxwell looked to be going well, before Ritchings struck again, bowled once more. When Richings struck for a 3^rd time, caught by Jaime Waring at gully Minch sensed some hope at 55 for 3. Richings finished with 3 for 29, a fine 1^st team debut. Jaime Waring switched ends and picked up an immediate wicket of Adams LBW. When young left armer Jack Cartledge came on, he instantly caused problems and cleaned up Godsell with a leg stump Yorker. Godsell looking good for his 27. Cartledge struck again next over as Dave Gordon took a sharp catch at mid wicket and Minch sensed real hope. Then the leg spin of John Wood stepping up from the 2nds was introduced and had an immediate effect. M Thomas had a swing at one only to edge to Price behind the stumps, then R Thomas chopped on as Wood caused problems with his flight. A full toss was too tempting for Newman who skied his shot out to long on. Jaime Waring raced around the boundary to pluck the ball out of the air and give Wood his 3^rd wicket as Charfield were 100 for 9 and Minch on the verge of a remarkable victory. But much like the Minch innings a vital last wicket partnership ensued for Charfield, Nash leading the way with 23 patient runs and Walwin scrambling runs to get Charfield home with around 7 overs to spare, Minch just not quite able to find that last wicket. A remarkable game of cricket and Minch left feeling proud of their effort with such an inexperienced side out. Will Price rightly taking the man of the match honours for Minch with an innings saving 65 not out.